Description

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting dish perfect for cozy nights. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce combined with creamy heavy cream, fragrant Italian seasonings, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed with al dente pasta to create a deliciously hearty meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 ounces pasta (gluten-free pasta can be substituted)

Chicken and Seasoning

1 pound chicken breast (plant-based chicken can be used for a vegan option)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Sauce

4 tablespoons butter (use non-dairy butter for a vegan option)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 medium onion (yellow or white, diced)
1 cup heavy cream (coconut milk works as a great dairy-free alternative)
1 cup chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian offering)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast can be used for a vegan option)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Garnish

2 tablespoons fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add your choice of pasta and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until al dente. Once done, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water for later, then drain the pasta and set it aside in a colander while you prepare the sauce.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast, seasoning it generously with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Once finished, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, allowing it to melt completely. Introduce the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing the mixture for about 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine the ingredients smoothly. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until it slightly thickens.
Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss everything together for about 2 minutes, ensuring that the pasta and chicken are well coated in the sauce.
Serve: Once everything is well combined and heated through, serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm, topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a garnish of fresh parsley.

Notes

For a vegan version, substitute chicken with plant-based chicken, butter with non-dairy butter, heavy cream with coconut milk, chicken broth with vegetable broth, and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
Adjust red pepper flakes to taste depending on your preference for heat.
Reserve pasta water can be used to adjust the consistency of the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Gluten-free pasta works well for those with gluten sensitivities.
To enhance flavor, marinate chicken briefly with Italian seasoning and pepper before cooking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: butter chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta recipe, comforting pasta dish, easy dinner recipes, stovetop pasta recipes